Operator III

Reporting to the Production Supervisor, the Operator III plays a key role in supporting safe, efficient, and compliant manufacturing operations. This position is responsible for directing the movement of raw materials, packaging materials, and finished goods throughout the facility, as well as operating cocoa transformation and processing equipment. The Operator III follows production orders and recipes accurately to ensure product consistency, quality, and traceability while supporting uninterrupted production flow. This role is responsible for operating and monitoring roasting, pressing and powder production lines, including recipe preparation, equipment setup, process monitoring, product sampling and testing, quality checks, equipment adjustments, and first-level troubleshooting. The Operator III also supports butter filtration operations, tank inventory management, MES and SAP transactions, and basic equipment maintenance and cleaning. In addition, the Operator III serves as the designated production lead when required, assist with coordinating daily production activities, provide direction and guidance to Production Associates, monitor workflow and staffing priorities, and ensure adherence to safety, quality, and production standards. The position acts as a resource for team members, supports training and onboarding activities, and helps drive operational efficiency to meet production targets.

Working closely with other production team members, the Operator III helps maintain operational efficiency and supports the delivery of high-quality products that meet customer and regulatory requirements. This role provides valuable exposure to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) principles, which are essential for ensuring food safety, product quality, and regulatory compliance.

Barry Callebaut is seeking motivated, dependable, and passionate individuals who thrive in a fast-paced manufacturing environment, embrace continuous learning, demonstrate the company's values, and share a passion for producing high-quality chocolate products.

About the role

The Operator III is responsible for leading safe, compliant, and efficient manufacturing operations through material handling, production support, and packaging activities. This role ensures product quality, food safety, inventory accuracy, and proper documentation while supporting the complete production process from receiving raw materials through processing, packaging, and shipping. Working under the direction of the Production Supervisor, the Operator III is expected to demonstrate increasing ownership and accountability as experience grows, particularly in troubleshooting, process improvement, and cross-functional support.

• Safety & Compliance
  
  
  • Follow all Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), including 5S and housekeeping requirements.
  • Comply with HACCP, OSHA, food safety, and company safety standards.
  • Maintain a safe, clean, and organized work environment.
  • Properly use required personal protective equipment (PPE).
  • Complete safety inspections, checklists, and training requirements.
  • Actively contribute to a zero-incident safety culture and take personal responsibility for safe work practices.
    
    
    
• Quality Assurance & Product Integrity
  
  
  
  • Inspect raw materials, packaging materials, and finished products for quality issues or damage.
  • Monitor metal detectors and conduct routine inspections of magnets, sieves, and filters.
  • Collect product samples for microbiological, quality, and customer specification testing.
  • Support compliance with food safety, quality, and regulatory requirements.
  • Identify and escalate quality concerns to ensure product integrity and traceability.
    
    
    
• Material Handling & Equipment Operation
  
  
  
  • Safely operate powered industrial trucks and material-handling equipment, including jockey trucks, sit-down forklifts, and rotating clamp forklifts, and other approved material handling equipment.
  • Receive, transport, stage, and store raw materials, work-in-process (WIP), packaging materials, and finished goods as needed.
  • Support inventory accuracy through proper material movement, storage, and traceability practices.
  • Ensure inbound and outbound trucks are properly weighed on facility scales and accurately record pre- and post-load truck weights.
  • Verify pickup numbers and shipping documentation prior to loading and shipment.
  • Execute material handling activities as needed with a target of zero movement errors.
  • Maintain compliance with all inventory and material traceability requirements.
    
    
    
• Production Support
  
  
  
  • Collaborate with Warehouse, Quality, Planning, and Maintenance teams to resolve production needs, including melt orders, Certificate of Analysis (COAs), packing slips, equipment issues, and production schedules.
  • Perform Operator I and Operator II duties as assigned or required to support business needs and production continuity.
  • Provide direction and oversight to Production Associates to ensure recipes, batch instructions, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and production orders are being followed accurately.
  • Monitor equipment performance and production issues, reporting and escalating downtime, process deviations, and operational concerns to the Production Supervisor as required.
    
    
    
• Documentation & Recordkeeping
  
  
  
  • Accurately record material transactions, inventory movements and consumptions, and truck scale weights in SAP and other required systems.
  • Maintain production records, manual logs, and chain-of-custody documentation, COAs, and shipping records.
  • Track finished goods movements and inventory status.
  • Update production and performance tracking boards as required.
  • Ensure all documentation is completed accurately, legibly, and on time.
    
    
    
• Business & Operational Impact
  
  
  
  • Supporting inventory accuracy, which impacts financial reporting and working capital.
  • Reducing product damage and associated costs.
  • Assisting with waste management and cost control initiatives.
  • Maintaining production efficiency and customer service performance.
    
    
    
• Key Performance Expectations
  
  
  • Zero safety incidents.
  • Zero material movement errors.
  • Zero production delays caused by ingredient or packaging shortages.
  • Accurate inventory transactions and production documentation.
  • Full compliance with GMP, HACCP, food safety, and quality standards.
    
    
    
• Scope
  
  
  • Position is based in Eddystone, PA.
  • Supports operations at Barry Callebaut's U.S. cocoa manufacturing facility.
  • Role performance impacts customers, internal stakeholders, and sister manufacturing sites.
  • Must be willing to work overtime and provide shift coverage as needed to support business operations.

• Physical & Environmental Requirements
  
  
  
  • Candidates must be able to:

• Lift, push, pull, bend, and carry up to 60 lbs. unassisted throughout the workday.
• Stand and work on their feet for 12-hour shifts.
• Work in a non-climate-controlled environment where temperatures may reach 130°F in certain areas.
• Work safely around cocoa dust, grease, debris, and slippery surfaces.
• Handle and use knives safely.
• Work on elevated platforms (20+ feet high).
• Operate jockey trucks, or become certified to operate sit-down forklifts, rotating clamp forklifts, and other approved material handling equipment.
• Learn to operate a cardboard baler.
• Support waste management activities.
• Perform basic equipment troubleshooting and escalate issues when necessary.
• Rotate into other departments through cross-training.
• Maintain production records and update hourly performance boards.
  
  
  

• Attendance & Reliability
  
  
  

• Must be punctual and dependable.
• Ability to work shifts beginning at 5:45 PM and ending at 6:00 AM depending on assigned schedule, Thursday - Saturday (and every other Wednesday)

About you
 

• Minimum Qualifications
  
  
  • High School Diploma or GED equivalent required.
  • Ability to understand, read, and communicate in English.
  • Basic computer skills preferred.
  • Experience with SAP and Microsoft Office is a plus.
    
    
    
• Preferred Experience
  
  
  
  • Forklift operation (certification preferred).
  • Manufacturing or production environment experience.
  • Basic equipment operation knowledge.
  • Basic troubleshooting skills.
  • Inventory control and recordkeeping experience.
    
    
    
• Desired Competencies
  
  
  
  • Strong teamwork and collaboration skills.
  • Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
  • Effective communication skills.
  • Results-oriented mindset.
  • Ability to perform in a fast-paced, high-pressure manufacturing environment.
  • Flexibility and willingness to learn new processes and departments.
    
    
    
• Career Growth Expectations
  
  
  
  • This position serves as an entry point into the organization and offers growth opportunities.
  • Candidates should demonstrate interest in developing a long-term career and advancing within the business.
  • Must be open to cross-training and supporting multiple operational areas as business needs require.